This hair styling option, like African braids, is still relevant and in demand. This is a practical and stylish hairstyle that suits many women. Weaving can be supplemented with bright strands, ribbons, threads.
A bit of history
According to experts, the history of Afrokos has several millennia, and more precisely, more than 5 thousand years. Historians note that in the era of Ancient Egypt, residents braided their hair in dense plaits that resemble African braids. This method of weaving had a practical purpose. In conditions of constant heat, hair was difficult and problematic to care for, given the lack of cosmetics and normal hygiene.
In some countries, weaving thin and durable braids was considered a ritual and had a sacred meaning. Thus, in the distant past, people protected themselves from evil spirits, troubles and diseases. Certain peoples who preserve and honor centuries-old traditions still have similar rituals.
The name "African" braids received as a result of migration. White-skinned inhabitants of the hot continent brought with them fashion trends associated with curly and braided hair. After that, the native inhabitants began to copy this style, imitating the appearance of Europeans.
Advantages and disadvantages
Such a popular and widespread hairstyle has certain advantages and disadvantages. You should definitely familiarize yourself with them before decorating yourself with a large number of dense braids.
First, consider the benefits of this kind of hairstyle.
- Appearance. The neatly designed weave looks stylish. Everyone has different opinions about beauty, however, most girls and women find this hairstyle attractive.
- Care. Afrocos owners do not need to spend a lot of time washing their hair, unlike girls who prefer to wear loose hair.
- Hair length. This is a universal weaving for any length. Even if you have a square, you can originally decorate yourself. African zizi pigtails can be woven with a minimum length of 5 centimeters.
- Diversity. There are many options for weaving braids. Each technique has a special appearance.
Nevertheless, there are several disadvantages.
- Face shape. It is advisable for chubby girls to abandon such a hairstyle. There are many haircuts and styling for a round face, but African braids are a bad choice.
- Hairstyles. After you decorate yourself with this option for braiding hair, your choice of hairstyles will be significantly reduced. Will have to abandon the wavy curls, curls and a variety of images for romantic meetings. However, a certain number of hairstyles for African weaving is still available.
- Hair condition. In a state of tight tourniquet, the hair is greatly weakened. If you have dry and thin hair, they can go bad after afrokos. Remember that in this condition, the strands do not receive the necessary care.
Who will suit?
To look great and attract the looks of others with stylish and fashionable pigtails, you need to determine exactly who they are suitable for. From a visual point of view, such a hairstyle will appeal to young and cheerful girls who prefer an original and modern style of clothing.
If you have recently dyed your hair, highlighted or permed, it is recommended to refuse from weaving of this type. Also, this is not the best choice for owners of brittle and weakened hair.
If you are going on vacation at sea, be aware that salt water will have to significantly reduce your wear. Moreover, salts will constantly accumulate in pigtails.
As soon as the fashion for African braids came to the territory of the CIS, only teenage girls initially decorated themselves with them. Now they are chosen and older girls, however, for adult women this style is not suitable.
Experts strongly do not recommend choosing the option with curled locks if the hair is longer than 10 centimeters, otherwise the pigtails will be constantly confused. When using additional artificial curls, remember that their attachment to short hair can be difficult or almost impossible.
Most often, African braids weave on long hair, however, on short haircuts, they can also look appropriate. The main thing is to choose the right technique.
Necessary tools and materials
If you are going to braid braids at home, you need to pick up special devices and materials for work.
The following attributes are required:
- a plastic comb with soft and rare teeth;
- various elements for fastening (special compounds, thin elastic bands, etc.);
- artificial strands of various colors (if you want to make braids with threads, prepare them).
Bright and original braids are obtained by weaving strands of Kanekalon into the hair. These are curls made of artificial threads that resemble natural hair in appearance and structure. They include substances derived from seaweed.
The color of this material can be varied: from natural and natural tones to catchy and flashy options. The choice is very large, you can choose the perfect style for a specific idea or image.
The price of the strands may vary depending on the quality, manufacturer and composition.Changing strands is necessary immediately, as they began to lose their attractive appearance.
Types and techniques of execution
Given the growing popularity of African braids, many varieties of weaving have appeared. Consider the most popular options.
Classic
The first is the most common and popular option. In this case, you get neat, even and durable pigtails that keep their shape for a long time. This style is great for further experiments with hairstyles. Weaving them is easy. The technique is the same as for ordinary braids, only their sizes are much smaller, and the number is larger.
Brady
In appearance, such pigtails look like spikelets. They are also called French braids. Their number varies from 10 to 30 units, depending on the density of hair and creative design. This type of weave retains its beauty and integrity for approximately 2 weeks. If artificial curls were used in the process of creation, braids can decorate a girl for about a month.
Zizi
Recently, this option is rapidly gaining popularity. Weaving this type not only looks stylish, but also saves time. To decorate your head with 600 pigtails, you need to spend 4 to 6 hours. The more experienced the master, the faster the work will go.
Due to the fact that artificial strands are superimposed on top of natural hair, the length can be different. Zizi braids are suitable even for short hair. As a result, dense tows are obtained, which remarkably retain their shape for a long time.
Senegalese pigtails
In appearance and weaving technique, this design option is more like a tourniquet. In the process of weaving, several strands (2 or 3) are twisted and fixed. As for the quantity, it is close to the classic and pigtails like zizi.
When choosing such a hairstyle, it is necessary to carry out correction at least once a month or when necessary. On the head, you can arrange several hundred braids. It can be thick bundles or small and thin bundles in large quantities.
Ponytail
This decoration option can preserve beauty for 4 months, with careful wear and gentle care. Outwardly, this style is very similar to the classic, however, there is still a significant visual difference. At the end of each pigtail there is a long and free curl. This adds an image of tenderness and sophistication.
Due to the fact that not all hair is woven into a braid, the process of care and styling is complicated, but the final result is worth the effort and time spent.
Thai weaving
This style is often confused with the popular version of zizi or brady, however, Thai braids are braided exclusively on natural hair. Artificial strands and other supplements do not use. This style can be chosen only for girls with long and strong hair.
Corrugation
If you arrange a lot of braids on your head in the above style, you get an effect that resembles a perm. When creating a hairstyle, curly, artificial curls are attached to native hair. The result is a magnificent hair. You will have to spend from 2 to 3 hours at work, depending on the density and length of natural hair.
Despite the fact that there are a large number of different styles of African braids, weaving techniques are practically the same.
If you choose weaving from three curls, then the following options are available to you:
- braid side strands into the braid, through the top;
- braid side strands inside out, gently twisting;
- arrange a bundle of three strands, twisting each curl separately, and then between each other.
If you chose Senegalese braids, you can use the technique of weaving a bundle of two strands. It is similar to the technique of three curls, the difference is only in quantity.
The classic arrangement of the parting involves placing braids side by side, without indentation, covering the entire head (except for the forehead, if hairstyles with bangs), including on the temples and the back of the head.
Popular colors
Colored African pigtails are perfect for bold and catchy youth images. When designing hairstyles with colored strands and threads, a wide variety of colors and shades is used. Consider the most popular of them.
- Pink. This color is perfect for young girls with a cheerful character. You can choose any shade - from delicate and pastel to rich and catchy.
- Light green. This gentle tone is perfect for girls with dark skin. The result is a contrast effect. Color will stand out against the background of black or white clothing. He also perfectly complements the colorful image.
- Black and white. Classic colors are always in fashion. They look stylish, spectacular and simply beautiful. Owners of long black hair who want to diversify their appearance often adorn themselves with African pigtails. The same applies to blonde fashionistas. Owners of white and bleached hair can weave black locks, creating an expressive contrast effect.
- Red. If you like to attract attention, opt for red pigtails. Red strands are ideal for owners of red hair.
- Purple. This mysterious and enchanting color remains relevant from season to season. Strands in this color look especially good with dark hair.
You can create an ombre effect using strands painted in several colors. Another such style is achieved by dyeing natural hair and further weaving.
How to care?
With proper care, afrokos can last for several months. This is a simple process that includes certain rules. It is enough to wash your hair only once a week. In winter, the frequency can be reduced, and in summer increased, due to hot weather. It is best to use a sponge and with it thoroughly rinse hair at the roots, eliminating fat and dust.
During this period, the use of masks, balms and other similar formulations is not recommended. They fluff the hair, as a result of which the weave loses its elasticity and accuracy. In the process of washing, thoroughly rinse the braids several times so that particles of shampoo do not accumulate between the strands.
If you feel uncomfortable while wearing, rinse the braids in the chamomile broth. This will help get rid of such unpleasant symptoms as itching and irritation. Remember that such a reaction of the scalp is quite natural, especially if you first decorated yourself with African pigtails.
Classic braids can be worn for up to three months. If you want to extend the wearing time, it is necessary to carry out correction of weaving in the area of the temples and crown.
Afrocos Hairstyles
Despite the fact that weaving braids limits the number of possible hairstyles, some of them remain available.
- Big braid. Gather pigtails into one big and thick one. This can be either standard weaving or the French version. You can also draw 2 braids on both sides.
- Gulki. Collect the pigtails in one or two ghulki. As a result, you get a stylish and practical hairstyle for every day. You can also use not all the pigtails, leaving the part to hang freely.
- Tail. African braids, gathered in a high tail, look spectacular and stylish. This option is best to choose for long hair.
- Wreath. If you like feminine looks, pay attention to the wreath of African braids. Braid part of the braids into a spikelet and carefully lay it at the crown.
Reviews
African braids are a popular and stylish decor suitable for hair of various lengths and densities. The network has collected many opinions on this type of weaving.Given the fact that the fashion for them is returning, many modern women of fashion recommends to try such an image on themselves and experiment with the appearance.
Among the advantages of the fair sex, they distinguish the original appearance, practicality and simple care, which does not require much time and cost. The disadvantages are the fact that a long stay in tight braids weakens the hair. They need time to renew their strength. It is also advisable to undergo a rehabilitation course using cosmetic preparations.
To braid African pigtails at home, see the video below.